by Michael Tucker
January 2009
Photo: Alec Smith in 1941 and 2008
Imagine the anguish experienced by so many servicemen and women as they sailed from their native shores of England, leaving behind their loved ones, not knowing exactly to where they were going or what they might encounter en route.
That is what Alec Smith experienced in 1942 when the 7th Battalion, British Royal Marines embarked from Liverpool on the s.s. Empress of Russia, (built in 1912).
The ship's voyage took in Belfast, and then curved around in the Atlantic to Freetown, Sierra Leone, where it took on coal and proceeded around the Cape of Good Hope to Durban.
All that time, after he had embarked from Liverpool, Alec was sailing further and further away from his lovely wife, Ada, who was expecting their second child. But on reaching Durban he was overjoyed to receive the great news through the wonderful Red Cross that Ada had safely delivered their second baby, Sheila. Although it was several weeks later that his Commanding Officer gave him the news officially, Alec was overjoyed with the efficiency and dedication of the Red Cross and was able to share his joy with his comrades. Such great news is of great comfort to those who are separated in the time of war.
Frederick Alexander John Smith (Alec) was born on Easter Saturday 7th April 1917. It was a most memorable day - it was snowing!
The family lived in Sydenham, S.E. London. As a young boy Alec attended the local school of St. Bartholomew. In 1931 he left school at the age of fourteen to work as a post office messenger, known as a telegram boy in those days. A year later the family moved to Penge, S. E. London where in 1935 Alec fell in love with a young lady destined to be his wife! In 1936 he was made postman and a year later became a sorter at the Mount Pleasant sorting office in Central London.
In May 1939, Ada and Alec got married in St. John's Church, Penge and settled in Mitcham, Surrey.
In September 1940 their first daughter, Marion, was born on the day of the longest daylight bombing raid over London. How could anyone forget that day!
It was around that time that Alec got his invitation to join the Royal Marines at the R. M. Reserve Depot, Exton, Devon. Later, it was designated the R.M. Infantry Training Centre, Lympstone. Alec arrived there in Mid-October.
After basic training the Squad had a short spell at St. Margaret's Bay near Deal. Unfortunately, in January 1941 Alec had a hernia operation. Following his time in hospital, he was put on light duties. That meant, of course, he lost his Squad which went to Crete. Returning to duty he was transferred to Dalditch, a tented camp at that time, to join the 7th Training Battalion in small arms and field craft.
In mid-1941 Alec was selected for a N.C.O.s course in which he passed as full corporal and returned to the Battalion as instructor. In 1942 the Battalion became “Active Service”. After a brief period of intensive training in the Black Mountains of Wales, it embarked for Durban. After a few days there, it sailed for Egypt and North Africa where it was attached to 30 Corps. It also received some specialised training for Sicily. Reaching Sicily, the Battalion was the first into Catania, where a severe battle was fought. The Battalion stayed there until it moved on to Italy, where it was mainly kept in reserve to guard supply depots until it was brought home, arriving in Glasgow, January 1944.
There the Battalion was reformed as the 48 R.M. Commandos. After being shunted around: Devon, Pompey and Deal, they arrived at the C.T.C. Achnacarry in February.
It is said that Achnacarry left an indelible impression on those who passed through its doors! Whilst there, Alec was given, in addition to the general training, the job of Post Corporal! At the end of the course Alec clicked for the job of escorting ten 'Returned to Unit' Marines.
After travelling all day and all night and most of the next day, Alec arrived at the R.M.I.T.C. where he was informed that, due to the shortage of instructors, he was being retained instead of returning to the Commandos. He went on to Dalditch, which had become hutted, where he continued as a small arms and mines instructor. During that time in 1945, Alec and Ada were overjoyed at the birth of their third daughter, Brenda.
In January 1946, Alec was demobbed and within a short time joined the Royal Marines Association. He returned to his work in the sorting office and was successful in passing the Post Office Counter Clerk examination the following year, at the end of which their first son, Peter, was born in December. In 1949 Alec was successful again in passing the exam for the Civil Service and in 1962 was promoted to Executive Officer.
Then a giant step was made in 1964, when the two eldest daughters and their families migrated to Australia, followed later by daughter, Brenda.
In 1974 Alec and Ada moved to Wimbledon. He retired five years later at the age of 62. Since the children came to live in Australia, Alec and Ada visited them a few times. One of those visits was in 1989 to celebrate their Golden Wedding Anniversary, when it was suggested that they might also like to migrate to the Lucky Country! Wheels were set in motion and they took that great step and arrived in December 1990 and settled in Croydon, Victoria. Since then they have celebrated their Diamond Wedding Anniversary in 1999.
Alec and Ada can truly look back over the years with pride, for their family has expanded to four children, twelve grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren with one more expected around Christmas, plus respective spouses and partners. What a fine record!
A leading light in the Royal Marines Association, Alec will always be remembered for the wonderful and most professional way he conducted the Cake Party Ceremonies in the very distant past at the Association's Dinner Dances, in which he gave a resume of service on each member of the party, as they came proudly to attention. Recently, he was 'on parade' as the oldest member of the R.M.A. Well done, Alec!